Planning and Traffic Committee

The Planning and Traffic Committee determines applications in relation to the council's statutory functions with regard to planning, building control, on-street and off-street traffic regulation orders in accordance with the policies of the borough, the Local Plan and legislation, except where such decisions have been delegated to officers.

It is the larger and/or more contentious planning applications that tend to be decided upon by the Planning and Traffic Committee.

The Planning and Traffic Committee will consider all objections to Traffic Regulation Orders, making decisions on those relating to road safety and traffic management issues and making recommendations to the Management Committee on Traffic Regulation Orders with financial implications.

All members of the Planning and Traffic Committee are required to receive training before sitting on the committee as planning legislation is complex and it is essential that councillors have adequate training to enable them to apply the rules in a proper way to planning applications, with their decisions being based solely on planning considerations.

More details about the planning process and how the committee fits in with this can be found on the planning pages.

What is the Committee's membership?

The Planning and Traffic Committee is one of the council's regulatory committees and made up of 12 councillors appointed by the full council.

When does the Committee meet?

The Planning and Traffic Committee meets at least once a month, usually on Wednesday at 9.00am at the council offices. Specific dates are detailed on the current calendar of meetings. The committee often go for site visits prior to the start of the meeting and you should check the agenda for the likely start time of the meeting.

Members of the public, including those who propose development; their agents; objectors and supporters are all permitted to attend the Planning and Traffic Committee at the time these applications are being considered.